MICHELIN-starred chef Nathan Outlaw has hired two hospitality students from Cornwall College to work at his St Enodoc Hotel in Rock.
Alex Michell, 18, from Chacewater near Truro, and Tomas Pavilonis, 27, from Camborne, have both started working part-time for the Cornish celebrity chef.
Mr Pavilonis, who was one of the first cohorts of Academy Nathan Outlaw students at Cornwall College Camborne, was offered a commis chef position in his kitchen after completing his work placement there last year.
He said: "It's not an easy job, but I'm really enjoying it. So far, I've worked on cold starters, hot starters and now I'm working on the pastry section. I'm trying to learn as much as I can. Basically you need to know everything in a kitchen these days, so the more you know, the better you are.
"Working for Nathan is great. He's so knowledgeable and he's seen so much. He invites a lot of other brilliant chefs to the restaurant to give masterclasses, like top pastry chef Claire Clarke and celebrity chef Valentine Warner, and we actually get to work with them, which is amazing."
Mr Outlaw said about his latest recruit: "Tomas showed a great deal of skill and passion for cookery when he worked in my kitchens, which really impressed me. This, combined with his strong work ethic, was the reason I offered him a job."
Mr Michell was offered a position in Nathan's front of house team after serving Nathan's table during a lunchtime service at Trevenson Restaurant on campus recently.
The delighted student said: "I didn't expect Nathan to approach my tutors, so I was surprised and pleased.
"The restaurant is nice and modern, the other staff are helpful and I get to meet lots of different people, including the cast and crew from ITV's Doc Martin. I also have to try some of the dishes too, so I can learn about them."
Mr Outlaw added: "Alex has a great personality and a real enthusiasm for the industry, which are two key qualities you need to work in a front of house role. He's also a hard worker and has a lot of skill and potential, all of which impressed me enough to invite him to come and work for me."
